On 25 Nov 2009 at 1:09, Jim Brain wrote:
Can one use the ByteBlaster for Xilinx parts as well,
or do I have to
buy two tools (I rather like the Xilinx part options better myself,
but the deal is on Altera stock.)
Even though the two programmers are essentially JTAG, the connections
to the parallel port are different and the software for CPLD
programming driving them is tailored to a specific programmer.
It's possible that one of the third-party (open source) JTAG
programming software packakges might work; I haven't tried.
The programmers themselves are dirt-simple--a few resistors and a
couple of ICs (tristate buffers). You could build them dead-bug
style in a DB25 connector shell if you wanted. There are
substantially more expensive (and faster) USB programmers available,
but speed of programming isn't usually a consideration on CPLDs;
that's more of an issue with FPGAs.
stranded, either tinner or bare is fine. Teflon
coating would be ideal
for the usage, but I hesitate on it because I can't seem to figure out
how to strip such wire.
I don't know what your application is, but would a strip of ribbon
cable do for what you need? Not twisted, of course.
Cheers,
Chuck